One rainy Friday afternoon, I stopped by my neighbor Lorraine’s porch to drop off a container of soup I’d made. She had just come back from visiting her grandkids and invited me in for a quick cup of tea. Her kitchen smelled amazing—sweet, savory, a little tangy—and I couldn’t resist asking what was in the oven.

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That’s when she pulled out this beautiful, golden ham bake bubbling with pineapple chunks and a sticky brown sugar glaze. It reminded me of something my mom would’ve served during our church potluck days, back when we’d bring foil-covered casserole dishes and hope we’d be the first to grab a scoop before it was gone.

Lorraine scribbled the recipe down on the back of her grocery receipt, and I tucked it into my purse like a little treasure. I gave it a try that Sunday, right after we got home from my son’s baseball game—everyone was starving, and I needed something quick and filling.

Turns out, it was not only easy but a hit. My daughter even asked for seconds, which says a lot. Over the past year, I’ve made a few tweaks to make it more weeknight-friendly, and now it’s in regular rotation. I usually serve it with steamed rice or roasted green beans, and leftovers are rare. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and feels like something you’d get from an old-fashioned family dinner table.

Short Description

A sweet and savory baked ham dish with pineapple chunks, brown sugar glaze, and a Dijon-soy kick. Easy to throw together and perfect for busy weeknights or holiday sides.

Key Ingredients

2 lbs cooked ham, diced
1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks in juice, drained (reserve juice)
¾ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp soy sauce
¼ cup reserved pineapple juice
¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Tools Needed

9×13 inch baking dish
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Measuring spoons and cups
Spoon or spatula
Oven mitts

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Step 2: Make the Glaze
In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, reserved pineapple juice, and ground cloves (if using) until smooth. The glaze should be thick but pourable.

Step 3: Assemble the Dish
Add the diced ham and pineapple chunks to the prepared baking dish. Toss them a bit with your hands or a spoon to evenly distribute.

Step 4: Pour the Glaze
Drizzle the glaze evenly over the ham and pineapple mixture. Gently toss everything to make sure the pieces are well coated.

Step 5: Bake
Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the glaze is bubbly and slightly caramelized. The edges may brown slightly, and that’s a good thing.

Step 6: Serve Warm
Let it sit for 5–10 minutes before serving. Spoon over rice, mashed potatoes, or alongside roasted veggies.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet-Savory Perfection: Pineapple and brown sugar bring sweetness while mustard and soy add a savory balance.

Quick and Easy: Minimal prep and simple pantry staples mean less time in the kitchen.

Family-Approved: Kids and adults alike go back for seconds—sometimes thirds!

Versatile: Serve it as a main or side, on holidays or weeknights.

Budget-Friendly: Uses affordable, everyday ingredients with no fuss.

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Using uncooked ham
Solution: Always start with fully cooked ham. This recipe is designed for reheating and glazing, not cooking from raw.

Skipping the pineapple juice
Solution: Don’t discard all the juice, it helps create the glaze. Save 1/4 cup before draining.

Overbaking
Solution: Stick to 30–35 minutes. Any longer and the sugars may burn, especially around the edges.

Uneven glaze distribution
Solution: Stir or toss the ham and pineapple after adding the glaze to coat everything well.

Too salty
Solution: Taste your ham before adding salt. Some hams are already heavily salted.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve over steamed white rice or garlic mashed potatoes.

Pairs well with roasted vegetables like carrots, green beans, or Brussels sprouts.

For a festive dinner, try serving with dinner rolls and cranberry sauce.

Works great in a buffet line or potluck table.

Slice leftovers and add to a sandwich with a swipe of grainy mustard.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Storage:
Let the dish cool completely. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheating:
Microwave individual portions for 1–2 minutes, or reheat in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, for 10–15 minutes.

Freezing:
Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Yes, just make sure to add 1/4 cup pineapple juice (store-bought or fresh) for the glaze.

2. What kind of ham works best?
Fully cooked boneless ham is easiest. Leftover ham works great too.

3. Is Dijon mustard necessary?
It adds a subtle tang, but you can use yellow mustard in a pinch.

4. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just use a larger baking dish and bake a bit longer—40–45 minutes should do it.

5. How do I keep the ham from drying out?
Make sure the ham is diced into bite-sized pieces and tossed well in the glaze. The juice helps keep it moist.

Tips & Tricks

Line your baking dish with foil for even easier cleanup.

Stir halfway through baking if you want an even stickier coating.

Add a dash of smoked paprika or a splash of apple cider vinegar for extra depth.

Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a richer sweetness.

If you want it spicier, throw in a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Recipe Variations

Spicy Pineapple Ham Bake
Add 1–2 teaspoons of sriracha or crushed red pepper to the glaze for a sweet-heat combo.

Maple-Mustard Ham Bake
Swap brown sugar for maple syrup and increase Dijon mustard to 3 tbsp. Adds a deeper, more earthy flavor.

Tropical Ham Skillet
Instead of baking, sauté the ham and pineapple in a skillet with the glaze for 10–12 minutes until bubbly.

Veggie Boosted
Toss in chopped bell peppers or red onion before baking for extra color and crunch.

Low-Sodium Version
Use low-sodium soy sauce and skip additional salt. Choose a lower-sodium ham if possible.

Final Thoughts

Last month, I made this dish again during a weekend trip to the cabin. After a full day of hiking trails and roasting marshmallows, we were all cold, hungry, and ready for something warm. I threw this together in our tiny kitchen while the kids played Uno at the table and my husband set up a movie by the fire. The smell alone brought everyone into the kitchen.

That’s the thing I love most about this ham bake, it fits into real life. It doesn’t take a ton of prep, ingredients, or effort, but it still manages to feel special. It’s the kind of dish that lets you spend less time cooking and more time at the table, talking and laughing. I hope you make it and that it brings the same kind of comfort to your home as it has to ours.

Easy Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Bake